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Hal Feder Business Brokerage

An Automotive Family

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How it all started...

I was born into the car business – specifically a “Ford family”. My father, Harold S. Feder, Sr. was a Sales and Marketing Executive for Ford Motor Company for 37 years. Dad was a natural born salesman and “a car guy” and spent most of his career working directly with Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers all over the USA. In fact, we moved 11 different times during his career – inside and outside of Detroit. Dad’s first and only true love about working for Ford was calling on the dealers. In fact, told be truth, he hated the corporate office jobs and would much rather spend his days in dealership showrooms and service lanes helping dealers grow their business. He also was involved in many dealership buy-sell transitions … helping one dealer transition the business to a new owner when it came time to exit.

Growing up, I was a first-hand witness to this “industrial gypsy lifestyle” and enrolled in so many different schools that I lost count. But I attended Ford introduction shows, drove brand new company cars, and played golf with a lot of Ford dealers. By the time, I finished my MBA from the University of Florida in 1982, the Ford business was running through my veins and I embarked on my own career with the Blue Oval.
The leadership shadow and successful career that my Dad had cast was broad, large, and pretty daunting. But with his encouragement, a ton of time and effort spent with dealer principals in stores all over the globe, and some luck in working for great Ford leaders, I made my own successful career and was able to reach senior management heights that made my Dad very proud. There is one lesson that Dad engrained in my head that I will never forget … that is, “the greatest asset of the Ford Motor Company (or any auto manufacturer) that you will not find on any balance sheet is the local dealer”. So very true.

These days it is my absolute pleasure to support automotive dealers in deriving the most from their hard earned investments by representing their exit transition or acquisition interests in the marketplace – confidentially, profitably, swiftly, and as stress-free as possible … just the way my Dad taught me.
1983
Zone Manager
  • Louisville District
  • Metro Knoxville, Nashville, & Louisville
  • ZM of the Year — 1986
1987
Department Manager
  • Atlanta District
  • Business Management
  • Merchandising Mgr.
  • Market Rep. Manager
Sales Promotion Manager
  • Southeast Region
  • Price-Point Manual
  • National Walkaround
    Winner
1989
Education & Training Mgr.
  • NAAO Marketing
  • Ford Division Car Mgr.
  • Self Study Guides
  • Walkaround Videos
Car Product Development
  • Cycle Planning Analyst
  • Small Car Market Study
  • Platform Consolidation
1991
General Zone Manager
  • Southeast Region
  • Lincoln-Mercury Div.
  • Eight State Territory
  • Supervised 16 ZM’s
Marketing Plans Manager
  • C/D Platform
  • Contour/Mystique
  • Pricing / Packaging
  • Vehicle Launch
1994
Regional Opns. Manager
  • Orlando Region
  • Business Plan
  • Market Representation
  • Market Share Growth
1996
Field Opns Market Manager
  • Central Region
  • Regional Business Plan
  • Production Schedule
Brand Strategy Manager
  • L-M Growth Strategy
  • Feature Cars
  • Pricing and Packaging
  • California Strategy
1998
Business Strategy & Comm
  • Ford Customer Service
  • Quik-Fit Acquistion
  • All-Makes Service
  • Quik-Lane Launch
L-M Product Marketing
  • Marketing Plans
  • Cycle Plan Design
  • Engineering Interface
  • Product Committee
2002
Ford Regional Manager
  • Memphis Region
  • 263 Dealers / 7 Metros
  • 2x Market Rep Winner
  • FDAF Revitalization
Sales Planning Director
  • Production Planning
  • Distribution System
  • Regional Allocations
  • $150M IT Budget
2004
North American Fleet Mgr
  • $31B Revenue Division
  • Major Rental Deals
  • Government Business
  • Commercial Bids
2007
President & CEO
  • Ford Southern Africa
  • New Global Ranger
  • Major Plant Overhaul
  • Union Negotiation
2010
General Sales Manager
  • US Ford and Lincoln
  • 22 Regional Offices
  • 5 Market Area Offices
  • 4,000+ Dealers
2011
Global Export Manager
  • 84 Export Markets
  • Middle East, Africa,
  • Central America, Asia
  • Launched 14 Dealers
2013
President, RMA Auto.
  • 20 Nations / 7 Brands
  • 5,000 Employees
  • Major M&A Actions
  • 5 Strategic Businesses
2017
Managing Director
  • Certified M&A Advisor
  • Top National Producer
  • Multi-Million Club
  • Automotive Expert

Developing Relationships … Delivering Results

As a global senior leader in the automotive industry, I have spent over 3 decades helping entrepreneurs develop strategies to derive the most return from their business investments.

I believe the greatest impact a leader can have is to inspire, empower, and develop people while setting the climate for both professional and personal growth. The most rewarding and memorable times of my career have been spent helping business owners solve challenging problems. In so doing, I have developed long standing partnerships which grew well beyond the typical, transactional consultant role.

In my advisory role with Murphy Business, I would enjoy partnering with you in whatever challenge, issue, or question you are facing. My aim would be to fully leverage my global experience and extensive industry network to support your goals by serving as your …

1. Trusted Advisor — my reputation is built on managing every engagement with confidential, high integrity, and personalized service. I work for you and always place you and your business first.

2. Knowledgeable Marketer — utilizing a variety of world-class tools, resources, and industry networks, I have a strong pulse on the marketplace which enables fact-based insights and serves to match the right buyers with sellers.

3. Skilled Facilitator — from developing a customized marketing plan to qualifying prospects to structuring a successful “win-win” closing, you will receive professional service from start to finish.

4. Expert Negotiator — leverage my global experience and extensive network to enable a strategy that achieves your aspirations — whether buying, selling, planning, or just problem solving.

5. Collaborative Partner — leave all the details and stress of the valuation, buying, selling, or consulting process to me while you run your business and take care of your family, employees, and customers.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and the opportunity to partner with you.

Summary

With over 3 decades as a global leader with the Ford Motor Company, as well as serving as the President of RMA Automotive, a privately-held portfolio of retail automotive distributorships in Asian and African emerging markets, Hal Feder’s primary goal is to leverage his experience working as your trusted advocate — whether you are selling a business, investing in a business, or need counsel getting the most out of your hard-earned investment.

Hal grew up in the auto business as the son of a Ford District Manager, earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Masters of Business degrees at the University of Kansas and Florida respectively, and then set out on a very successful Ford career himself. Hal’s sales and marketing background placed him in many dealer-facing positions both in the USA and abroad working directly with independent, entrepreneurial business owners in every functional discipline – sales, service, distribution, marketing and business development.


Hal served in Ford’s Regional teams in the Louisville, Atlanta, Orlando, and Memphis field offices and was responsible for managing million dollar buy-sell transactions involving the ownership transfer of Ford and Lincoln franchises. Hal has consulted thousands of business owners across the USA and was named General Sales Manager in January 2010. Hal also served as President and CEO of Ford’s South African operation (2007-2009), managed Ford’s North American Fleet business (2003-2004), and led the Global Export business (2012-2013), overseeing 84 emerging markets.

Hal left Ford in May 2013 to pursue the retail side of the business and was appointed President of RMA Automotive, a privately held, family owned portfolio of retail distributorships. From 2013-2015, Hal oversaw all product development, manufacturing, marketing, sales, and service operations for an automotive business whose footprint spanned 20 countries and 5,000 employees. Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, Hal was responsible for the development, execution, and delivery of the automotive growth plan, including in-market retail dealerships in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Kenya, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan representing eight automotive brands. In addition, Hal was responsible for oversight of 62 global markets for the Jaguar Land Rover brands through RMA’s subsidiary company, Guava, located in the United Kingdom.

Hal brings a wealth of global experience, leadership, and consulting skills to any business partnership. His experience in both the wholesale and retail sectors of the automotive business enterprise, his consulting experience covering small and large dealers, and his proven leadership for delivering business results makes him an ideal candidate to assist you with any challenge you may be facing. In addition, Hal is a licensed commercial agent should your business interests involve the transfer of real property. Hal is married, has three grown kids, and resides in Williamsburg, Virginia where he enjoys his family, dogs, sports, and travel.

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